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As published in the Globe and Mail’s regular Number Cruncher feature, discover TSI’s top U.K. and European dividend-paying exporters primed to benefit from new U.S. trade deals.

iShares MSCI Germany Fund & Australia ETF broaden your horizons with access to top companies from both hemispheres.

Over the past decade, European companies have lagged well behind the top U.S. companies. Stagnating economies and a heavy regulatory burden on companies contributed to the weak stock market returns. But, Europe remains home to a number of global leaders in their respective fields—with many trading at discounted valuations compared to their U.S....

We think foreign stocks can safely make up 10% of a conservative investor’s portfolio. One way is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with an overseas focus. The best of those ETFs charge you very low management fees yet offer you well-diversified, tax-efficient portfolios of high-quality stocks.


Here’s a look at four international ETFs we see as suitable for new buying and two others we feel you should continue to hold.


ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS ETF, $43.76, is a buy for aggressive investors. The fund (New York symbol EEM; buy or sell through brokers) is designed to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index; it gives you access to some of the world’s fastest growing markets.


The ETF’s geographic breakdown is as follows: China, 29.9%; India, 19.0%; Taiwan, 16.7%; South Korea, 9.3%; Brazil, 4.6%; Saudi Arabia, 4.0%; South Africa, 3.2%; Mexico, 2.1%; the UAE, 1.4%; Malaysia, 1.4%; Indonesia, 1.2%; and Thailand, 1.2%.


Your biggest stock exposure through the fund is Taiwan Semiconductor (computer chips) at 8.6% of assets; Tencent Holdings (China: Internet), 5.1%; Alibaba Group (China: e-commerce), 3.1%; Samsung Electronics (South Korea), 2.4%; HDFC Bank (India: finance), 1.6%; Xioami Corporation (China: technology), 1.3%; Reliance Industries (India: conglomerate), 1.2%; and ICICI Bank (India: finance), 1.1%.


iShares launched the ETF on April 7, 2003....

Germany was the only country in the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy nations to suffer an economic contraction in both 2023 and 2024. One reason was the country’s “debt brake.” In place since 2009, it sharply limits the government’s ability to borrow and run economy-stimulating deficits.


However, newly elect German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has now secured backing to remove the debt brake and pave the way for a massive increase in state borrowing.


This will spur a boom in defence and security spending as well as 500 million euros ($545 billion U.S.) in infrastructure investment....

ISHARES MSCI EUROPE IMI INDEX ETF $31.30 (Toronto symbol XEU; TSINetwork ETF Rating: Conservative; Market cap: $396.1 million) invests in European companies. The ETF is not currency-hedged but there is a hedged version available (symbol XEH)


The ETF aims to track the MSCI Europe Investable Market Index....

Most top global markets have rebounded since their big drop at the outbreak of the pandemic. Going forward, we think the outlook remains positive for quality stocks. One way to profit from that—while cutting your risk—is to invest in top ETFs.


Here’s a look at four international funds that we believe are well suited to new buying....

iShares MSCI Germany Fund & Australia ETF are two top low-fee ETFs with exposure to two very different economies.

We think foreign stocks can safely make up 10% of a conservative investor’s portfolio. One way is through exchange traded funds (ETFs) with an overseas focus. The best of those ETFs charge you very low management fees yet offer you well-diversified, tax-efficient portfolios of high-quality stocks.


Here’s a look at four international ETFs we see as suitable for new buying and two others we feel you should continue to hold.


ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS ETF, $44.79, is a buy for aggressive investors. The fund (New York symbol EEM; buy or sell through brokers) is designed to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index; it gives you access to some of the world’s fastest growing markets.


The ETF’s geographic breakdown is as follows: China, 27.3%; Taiwan, 19.0%; India, 18.8%; South Korea, 10.0%; Brazil, 4.8%; Saudi Arabia, 3.9%; South Africa, 3.2%; Mexico, 1.9%; Indonesia, 1.6%; Thailand, 1.5%; and Malaysia, 1.4%.


Your biggest stock exposure through the fund is Taiwan Semiconductor (computer chips) at 9.9% of assets; Tencent Holdings (China: Internet), 4.4%; Samsung Electronics (South Korea), 2.5%; Alibaba (China: e-commerce), 2.3%; Meituan Dianping (China: group buying/food delivery), 1.5%; Reliance Industries (India: conglomerate), 1.2%; HDFC Bank (India), 1.1%; and PDD Holdings (China: retail), 1.1%.


iShares launched the ETF on April 7, 2003....

Most top international markets have rebounded since their big drop at the start of the pandemic. Going forward, we think the outlook for quality stocks in those markets remains positive. One way to profit from their growth—while cutting your risk—is to invest in top ETFs.


Here’s a look at four international funds we see as suitable for your new buying....